FAQ¶
Here are answers to some of the most common questions that we are asked about the ThinkGeo .NET GIS control for Android™ & iOS. If you still have questions after reading these, feel free to post them in our discussion forums. Our forums are monitored by our development staff in order to provide detailed and technical answers when you need them.
Do I have control over how the map looks and fits into my app?¶
Yes, absolutely! ThinkGeo Mobile Maps is a .NET control, so you can easily integrate it into your broader app just like any other user control.
We expose a large amount of APIs that allow you to customize every aspect of the map and the user interface so that they fit in with the look and feel of your app.
What other software is required to work with ThinkGeo Mobile Maps for Android™?¶
ThinkGeo's Mobile Maps for Android™ requires Xamarin, a platform that enables you to develop Android apps using the Microsoft .NET Framework and the C# programming language. Through Xamarin, your app compiles to a native binary, providing blazing fast performance and a smooth user experience. You can develop your application using Microsoft Visual Studio or alternatively the Xamarin Studio IDE.
All of this means you can design professional-grade GIS software with ThinkGeo that run as a native app on Android™ devices without having to learn new languages, new controls or new tools!
Please note that a Xamarin development license is required at additional cost. For answers to common questions about Xamarin, see this FAQ.
What other software is required to work with ThinkGeo Mobile for iOS?¶
ThinkGeo's Mobile Maps for iOS requires Xamarin, a platform that enables you to develop iPhone® and iPad® apps using the Microsoft .NET Framework and the C# programming language. Through Xamarin, your app compiles to a native binary, providing blazing fast performance and a smooth user experience. You can develop your application using Microsoft Visual Studio or alternatively the Xamarin Studio IDE.
All of this means you can design professional-grade GIS software with ThinkGeo's Mobile Maps that run as a native app on iPhones® and iPads® without having to learn new languages, new controls or new tools!
Please note that a Xamarin development license is required at an additional cost. For answers to common questions about Xamarin, see this FAQ.
What type of map data does ThinkGeo UI for Android™/iOS support?¶
ThinkGeo UI for Android™/iOS lets you use many different types of vector-based map data. Data files can be loaded onto your Android™/iOS device in numerous industry-standard formats like ShapeFile, TAB, TinyGeo, and GPS eXchange (GPX). You can also consume WMS-compliant online mapping services or other base maps like Google Maps*, Bing Maps, and MapBox. Raster imagery is supported in standard, web-compatible bitmap formats like PNG, JPEG, BMP, and TIFF.
For more details on supported data formats, head on over to the Supported Data Formats page
*Use of Google Maps® with ThinkGeo UI for Android™/iOS requires a Google Maps API For Business license and is subject to Google's licensing terms. For more information, please visit: https://developers.google.com/maps/licensing
How big of a learning curve is there to using ThinkGeo UI for Android™/iOS?¶
Our products are designed to be easy to understand and easy to use. While mapping/GIS controls typically have a larger learning curve than other simpler controls like grids or charts, we feel ThinkGeo UI for Android™/iOS has taken the complexity out of mapping and allows you to develop your application in days or weeks instead of months or years.
How can I get started using ThinkGeo UI for Android™/iOS?¶
If you're ready to get started developing with ThinkGeo UI for Android™/iOS, you can head on over to our quickstart guides for detailed step-by-step instructions that will take you from environment setup to importing and displaying data on a map.
Where do I go if I need help with ThinkGeo UI for Android™/iOS?¶
We have a very active community discussion forum, a large number of "How Do I?" sample applications with source code in C#, and we also offer professional services if you need to talk with a developer one-on-one. More details on our various support options can be found on the Help and Support page of this site.
Where do I go if I still have unanswered questions?¶
Check out our Licensing and Purchasing FAQs here, or email us any time at sales@thinkgeo.com.